Kyushu Expedition Itinerary

This itinerary is "ground only", beginning in Kagoshima and ending in Kurokawa Onsen. Instructions will be provided in English and Japanese for getting to the meeting point in Kagoshima.

Day 1

The tour starts late afternoon in Yufuin, a charming town settled in the lee of Mt. Yufu-dake, a dormant volcano. Yufuin is one of Japan’s top onsen thermal hot spring resorts with some of the best ryokan, Japanese inns in Japan. Our ryokan for the night provides us , needless to say, with onsen baths and a sumptuous meal, both classic elements of a tour in Japan and a great way to start our tour.
Dinner provided.

Day 2

After breakfast we board the Yamanami Highway express bus part-way to our destination today of Aso. We alight en route to climb Mt. Kuju (1,791m or 5,876ft), which is the highest on mainland Kyushu. A good path to the summit starting from the highest point on the Highway allows us a quick ascent. In good weather the views from the summit over the whole of the Kuju mountain range to Mt. Aso, which we visit tomorrow, are superb.

The express bus takes us to the centre of Kyushu along a spectacular route. Our bus brings us to the edge of and then down into the spectacular Aso caldera, one of the world’s largest at 120 km (75 mls) in circumference. Our accommodation for the night offers us relaxing onsen baths before we enjoy dinner, another meal of delicious, locally sourced produce. Total walking time 4.5 hours. Total ascent approximately 600m (1,968ft).

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 3

The Aso caldera is a fertile plain dominated by Mt. Aso, composed of a series of peaks the highest of which is Taka-dake at 1,592m (5,223ft). A bus takes us to the start of our walk, and upon arrival we are greeted with the ever present smell of sulphur. On some days access to Mt. Aso’s active crater area, the source of the sulfurous gases, is restricted and may affect the route we take. Regardless of the route, however, our climb to Taka-dake will take us up through a spectacular moonscape and past giant craters venting steam before we descend to the bottom of the lush, green caldera.

We travel by local train to Kumamoto arriving early-evening. Dinner is at a restaurant in the centre of the city’s entertainment quarter. Total walking time, 5 hours. Total ascent approx. 550m (1,800ft).

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 4

An early morning start, as we travel by the Kyushu Shinkansen Bullet train to Kagoshima, where we change to a local train to Ibusuki. Here we will stay the night. First, however, our walk takes us on a circular trail, which includes an ascent of Mt. Yahazu, that provides us with excellent views of Mt. Kaimon-dake. Mt. Kaimon is also known as the ‘Fuji of Satsuma’ due to its perfect conical shape and similarity to Mt. Fuji. Satsuma was the feudal name of the Kagoshima area.

In the afternoon we visit the nearby, small town of Chiran and its Kamikaze and Peace Memorial Museum. The museum, built on the site of a former airbase, provides a moving insight into the lives of the young pilots before they set off on their fateful missions. This is followed by an exploration of the nearby samurai quarter, which includes traditional houses and intricately designed gardens. The surrounding tea fields provide a delightful backdrop to this interesting town.

We return to Ibusuki and our accommodation, which includes again onsen baths. Total walking time 4.5 hours. Total vertical ascent approx. 400m (1,312ft).


Breakfast and dinner provided.


Day 5

A short distance from our accommodation is the port from where we catch an early morning, high-speed Jetfoil to Yakushima, an island to the south. Yakushima has a unique rainforest environment, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will be staying on the island for the next three nights to give us plenty of time to explore the rich, diverse environment here.

Shiratani Unsuikyo, a spectacular gorge, provides the backdrop for our walk today. This will be our first taste of Yakushima, a truly spectacular natural environment with climatic zones ranging from sub-tropical around the coast to frigid temperatures atop the island's highest peaks. Not surprisingly a huge variety of flora and fauna are found throughout Yakushima.

While our tour has been timed to coincide with one of the drier periods of the year, it would be unwise to forget your waterproofs. Yakushima is officially one of the wettest places on earth with upwards of 4,000mm (158in) of rainfall recorded annually. Rain, though, should not impair our enjoyment of our time here. On the contrary, it adds to the atmosphere of our trek through the primeval forest, which includes giant, moss-covered cedars that are some of the oldest trees in the world, wild deer and monkeys. Hayao Miyazaki, the Oscar-winning animator, found inspiration here for the scenery in Princess Mononoke, one of his most celebrated films. Weather and energy permitting, we'll take the trail as far as Taiko-iwa, a giant viewing rock offering excellent views of the island's interior and high peaks. We descend to our lodgings, where we enjoy a sumptuous dinner of some fine local fish. Total walking time, 5 hours. Total ascent approx. 500m (1,968ft).

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 6

Today's plans will be largely weather dependent, but a fine day will see us attempting an ascent of Mt. Kuromi-dake, a granite peak of 1,831m (6,007ft). This will necessitate an early start, but keep your eyes open as we take the winding mountain road up from the port of Anbo - it's worth it for the views back towards the coast. The well maintained trail to the top passes though a variety of cedar forest, high moorland and grassland.

Depending on the weather and cloud level, a number of alternative options are possible. These include an ascent of Mt. Mocchomu-dake (970m, 3,182ft)) via a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Senpironotaki Falls; and a hike in Yakusugi Land, another area of impressive giant cedars and fast flowing rivers. Total walking time, 6~8 hours. Total ascent approx. 700m (2,296ft).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 7

Today’s walking will be tailored according to ability and desire of the group and also the weather. Possible routes include climbs of Mt. Mocchomu, following the trail to Senpiro-no-taki waterfalls or trekking within Yakusugi Land, a nature reserve with some of the oldest sugi cedar found on Yakushima.

We return late afternoon to Kagoshima by the Jetfoil to stay the night in a hotel in the centre of the city. Some excellent restaurants nearby provide the setting and delicious evening meal on the final night of our tour together.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 8

The tour ends after breakfast at our hotel. Return travel to Fukuoka by Shinkansen ‘Bullet’ train to Fukuoka airport for international flights is easily accomplished. Your tour leader will be on hand to help you purchase tickets and provide advice on how to use any extra time you may have in Japan.

Breakfast provided.